End coupling for watch straps and belts



01:11.29. 1940 w. soKoLoF END COUPLING' POR WATCHy STRAPS "IAND `BELTS Filed arch l5, 194D F/GJ Patented Oct. 29, 1940 UNITED `STATES PATENT OFFICE END COUPLING FOR WATCH STRAPS AND BELTS This invention relates tofimprovements in an end coupling for watch straps and belts, and it consists in the novel features which are hereinafter described.

One of the objects of my invention is-to provide an end coupling for watch straps and belts, comprising a clampl box and tongue buclde, that will allow an easy adjustment of the length of a watch strap or belt, and to combine the reliability and simplicity of the tongue buckle with the ease of attaching a belt or strap to a clamp box.

Another object of my invention ishto include in said coupling a clamp box comprising a shell and a clam for connecting thereto one end of a l5 watch strap or belt, and to provide said shell with a guard -or loop which .is integral therewith, wherein to receive the tip of the end of the other watch strap or of the other end of the belt, after the latter end has been passed through the tongue buckle and has been secured thereto.

A further object of my invention is to provide the said clamp with a similar guard or loop integral therewith, for the same purpose as said shell guard.

A still other object is to make the above shell and guard thereon of one blank of sheet metal or of one piece of metal tubing.

Another object is to make the said clamp and guard thereon of one integral piece of tubing.

A further object is to have the said shell pivotally connected to the tongue buckle, thereby rendering the coupling compact, and to` employ the tongue pin of the buckle for pivotally con-` necting the same to sockets on the shell of the clamp box.

A still other object of my invention is to make my above end coupling relatively simple, durable and inexpensive.

Other objects and advantages will hereinafter appear.

I attain these objects by the end coupling which is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, or by any mechanical equivalent or obvious modication of the same.

In the drawing, l

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary plan view of the two ends of a belt or of watch straps shown as connected to each other by my improved end coupling.

Fig. 2 is a section on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1,

looking in the direction of the arrows and showing sundry parts in elevation.

Fig. 3 is a section on the line 3 3 of Fig. 2, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 4 is a detail View in end elevation of the shell of the clamp boX, which is hereinafter described, iooking from 1eft to right in Figs. 1 and 2.k

Fig, 5 is a detail View in side elevation o'f the clamp, which is hereinafter described.

Fig. 6 is a detail in side elevation of a modified form of the shell which is above mentioned.

Fig.' '7 is a detail in side elevation of the tongue of the' buckle, which is hereinafter described, showing the pin of the buckle in cross-section.

Similar numerals refer to similar parts 10 throughout the several views. 1

II designates the perforated end of a belt or watch strap, and I2 the other end ofthe belt or the end of the other watch strap the end Il has therein perforations I3 for the passage there- 15 through of a tongue I4 of a buckle I5-I6, whichl has thereon a frame I5 and a pin I6, which has the hubf I'I of the tongue I4 swivelled thereon.

The ends of the pin I6 are rotatably supported by sockets I8 at the rear end of a shell I9 of a 20 clamp box I9-20 which includes besides the shell I9 also a. clamp 2l]v for holding down the end I2 of the belt or watch strap.

The clamp 2U is pivotally connected to the shell I9 by means of pins 2I on the clamp 20 and 25 openings 22 in the shell I9.

The clamp 20 is shown as provided with teeth 23 at the lower edges of the two branches 23a thereof, for engaging therewith the end I2 of the belt or watch strap which as shown in Figs. 2 and 30 3 rests on the bottom I 9d of the shell I9, which is shown as curved at i90, in Fig. 2 and as straight at |91) in Fig. 6. l

The sides of the shell I9 are shown in Figs. 2 and 3 as extending beyond the clamp 20, both 35 vertically and horizontally, thereby shielding the clamp 20 from accidental interference therewith.

The sockets I8 are integralwith the shell I9, which has lalso integral therewith a guard 24 and extensions 25 on said guard 24, for passing there- .40 under the tip of the end II of the belt or watch strap after the latter has been attached to the buckle YI5-I6; the guard 24 also serves to keep the clampI 20 from getting disengaged.

To assist the guard 24 on the shell I9 to keep 45 the tip of the belt or watch strap Il in position the clamp 20 is also provided at the top thereof with a guard 26 integral therewith, as shown `in Fig..3. As shown in Fig. 2, the guards 24 and 26 are positioned substantially in line with each 50 other, and the end of the belt or strap Il passes under both guards without being crumpled byv them.

The clamp 20 with the guard 26 thereon may be made of one piece of tubing. 55

The guard 24 on the shell ISI may be made continuous when the shell I9 is made of a piece of tubing; and the guard 24 may comprise two branches, as shown in Fig. 1, when the shell I9 is made of a blank of sheet metal.

The shell I9 together With the clamp 20 form the clamp box I 9-20 and the latter with the buckle IE-IB, which is pivotally connected thereto, form the end coupling for the belt ends or watch strap ends II and I2.

In cheaper couplings either the guard 24 or the guard 25 may be used Without the other guard.

As a less perfect modication, thehclamp box IS--ZO may also be made separate from the buckle I-I6 and the two detachably connected to each other in any desired fashion.

Variations are possible, andgparts of my invention may be used Without other parts. ,Y

I claim asmy invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

nected thereto and adapted to engage a belt or strap thereon, the sides of said shell extending beyond said clamp, thereby shielding said clamp from interference therewith.

2. In an end coupling for Watch straps and belts, a clamp box and a tongue buckle, exibly connected thereto, said clamp box comprising a shell and a clamp pivotally connected thereto, and adapted to engage a belt or strap thereon, said shell having thereon a guard made of one piece of metal therewith, for passing thereunder the tip of the end of a belt or Watch strap after said end has been attached to said buckle and for keeping said clamp in position on said shell.

3. In an end coupling for watch straps and belts, a clamp box and a tongue buckle, exibly connected thereto, said clamp box comprising a shell and a clamp pivotally connected thereto and adapted to engage a belt or strap thereon, a guard on said shell and a guard on said clamp, said guards being positioned substantially in line With each other and said guards serving to keep thereunder the tip ofthe end of a belt or Watch strap k 

